Farming Today - 18/10/2010

Farming Today visits the largest dairy in the USA, home to 32,000 cows. This farm is a model for the controversial 8,000 cow dairy planned for Nocton in Lincolnshire. The CEO of this huge farm explains how he overcame local opposition and worries about animal welfare - concerns now being heatedly debated in the UK. For those who enjoy rural living, the Government wants to offer 'a home on the farm', to help relieve the rural housing shortage. Communities Minister Andrew Stunell tells Charlotte Smith many old farm buildings could be restored, enabling low earners to own countryside homes. And the National Trust will allow badgers to be culled on its land, to help control TB in cattle. Culls are planned in Wales and England, and historically the Trust has opposed these. But despite protests from members, David Bullock says the Trust will now allow badgers to be killed to control the disease.